8 Best Winter Food in Seoul

Seoul experienced the coldest winter this year with temperature falls to near record lows. For those who are visiting South Korea, fret not! Because we have prepared you a list of 8 best winter foods in Seoul to keep you warm and cosy throughout your trip. Although we would love to include the amazing street foods in the list, we figured having a proper meal at a restaurant would be a better plan when the weather is not performing. Trust us – you’ll feel much better in a restaurant that serves piping hot soup.

Simseun Tang Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

Sim Seun Tang serves the best army stew in Seoul, at least in my book. I have tried various army stews across the country, but Sim Seung Tang got me return again and again. Their broth has a deep flavour that is irresistible. Remember to mix the soup, sausages and SPAMs with the buttered rice – terribly sinful but downright satisfying. Read more about the review here.

Bukmakgol BBQ Ribs

You should know how it feels like when you are feasting on a humongous (as shown above, no kidding.), fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, when it is -18 degree outside. These huge ribs are slow-grilled until tender and succulent, it just falls off the bone without much effort to pry from the bone. Best pair with makgeolli (Korean rice wine). Read more about the review here.

Tosokchon Ginseng Chicken

This is on our must-eat food list for any first-timers in Seoul. Simmered in the milky broth to tender, the chicken is best known to boost your energy and vitality. I love how effectively the potent ginseng wine works to warm up my body. Their house kimchi is one of our favourites too! Read more about the Tosokchon ginseng chicken here.

Duroomi Kitchen Lotus Hot Pot

The lotus leaf meal at Duroomi is a go-to place when you are sick of the typical Kimchi-land food. Hidden in Samcheongdong, the restaurant serves contemporary Korean food using lotus leaves as the main ingredient. Their hot pot set lunch is perfect on a windy or snowy winter day, especially when you’ve exhausted your feet from exploring the neighbourhood. If you’re travelling with your folks, and when they complain about having too much kimchi, bring them here. Read more about the restaurant here.

Jaha Son Mandoo (Dumplings)

How about having some handmade Korean dumplings, or a bowl of dumpling rice ball soup (tTteok Mandoo Guk 떡 만두국) in the winter? Although it is a hallmark dish for the new year, the soup is enjoyed by the young and old all year round. It is a filling dish, also a great option to warm up your body in the winter. Read more about it here.

Hwang Beef Intestines

You may have heard of the BBQ beef intestines in Korea – We do agree it does sounds gross, but we find it delicious! If you haven’t got the guts to give it a try, this beef intestines restaurant at Sinchon is a good place to start with. Marinated for more than 4 hours, these intestines are utterly soft, fluffy and buttery, bringing your Korean BBQ experience to a whole new level. Did we say it is also good for complexion and digestion? Read more about the beef intestines Read more about the BBQ beef intestines here.

Guldari Sikdang Kimchi Jjigae

Photo courtesy of Nomad 21.com

This restaurant serves Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi stew) to the locals for more than 40 years near the Gongdeok AREX Station. Their kimchi stew set costs KRW 7,000 and everything including the rice, stew and side dishes are refillable. It is eat-all-you-can here. A bowl of this spicy-sweet, utterly Korean comfort food during winter? Yes please, take my money. Read the complete review here.

Villa de Spicy Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)

Enjoy premium Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice cakes) at Garosugil, the trendiest shopping district in Seoul. Customised your spicy rice cakes your way, adding only the ingredients you love. Our all-time favourite sides: Jjeol Myeon, the Korean chewy noodles and Mozarella cheese, these two will do some magic to your Tteokbokki pot. We love the trendy atmosphere in there – It is like having Tteokbokki while attending a fashion show! Read more here.